The new water park at SeaWorld San Antonio last year helped send its parent company's profits soaring more than 300 percent compared with 2011, according to updated regulatory filings.

SeaWorld Entertainment Inc., which operates 10 theme parks across the nation, reported net income of $77.4 million in 2012, up from $19.1 million the year before. Total revenue, which includes admission and spending on food and merchandise, rose 7 percent to more than $1.4 billion over the same period.

In a financial statement filed this week with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Orlando, Fla.-based company specifically highlighted the addition of the Aquatica water park at SeaWorld San Antonio last May for contributing to an increase in attendance and admission per guest.

While single-day admission to the San Antonio park remained steady at $59.99 for adults, access to Aquatica's water slides costs an extra $25, according to its website.

“You can put in a whole water park for the cost of one or two roller coasters ... and take some of the congestion out of the rest of the park,” he said. “The key is you've got the weather that's amenable to having a water park, the theme (of the sea) is already there and it's popular for families with little kids.”

The company did not release San Antonio-specific numbers, citing a possible public stock offering later this year. But it reported a 3 percent increase in overall attendance.

Across SeaWorld's properties, higher ticket prices and reduced discounts drove admission per guest from $34.91 in 2011 to $36.26 last year.

SeaWorld also reported a 3 percent increase in spending per guest, thanks in part to price increases and product promotion. At SeaWorld San Antonio, its new all-day-dining price raked in $32.99 per adult.

“Bundles like that are becoming more of a trend, and they're very effective,” Bojanic said. “People will eat a little more in the park to get their value.”

But “between the lines and the rides and shows, they won't have much time to spend eating as they think,” he added. “Food costs are pretty low for the park, so there's a pretty significant markup and profit.”

While Bojanic said the jump in SeaWorld's net income was encouraging, he said it should be contrasted with the troubles amusement parks experienced during the recession.

In a filing ahead of its potential initial public offering, SeaWorld did not include its historical financial performance but said it lost $45.5 million in 2010.

“In 2009 and 2010, we experienced a decline in attendance as a result of the global economic crisis, which in turn adversely affected our revenue and profitability,” the filing reads. “We expect that forecasted moderate improvements in (gross domestic product) and growth in domestic consumer spending will have a positive impact on our future performance.”

SeaWorld San Antonio did not release details of any planned improvements, but this year the park started its operating season on Feb. 2. That move made its 231-day calendar the longest year that the seasonal park has had in more than two decades, according to a news release.

Aquatica opened on March 2, which SeaWorld said was the earliest advertised opening this year of any outdoor water park in Texas.